Table of Contents
South Florida’s spectacular weather and beautiful scenery make it a great place for motorcyclists to ride. However, that enjoyable outing can turn into tragedy in seconds if you are a victim of a Palm Bay motorcycle accident. In 2021, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported 288 motorcycle accidents in Brevard County.
Consider yourself fortunate if you survived the collision since many motorcyclists succumb to their injuries after getting hit by a much larger vehicle. A Palm Bay motorcycle accident lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo will help you during this difficult time and fight so that you may receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
The shell of a car or truck offers some protection to occupants when an accident occurs. That is not the case when a motorcycle is involved. Motorcyclists are just far more vulnerable.
The four most common types of motorcycle accidents include:
Any one of these motorcycle accident types can result in severe injury or death.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Of course, drunk or distracted driving on the part of motorists contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Palm Bay. Driver inexperience also plays a role in some collisions.
For many motorcycle accident victims, a serious injury may bring about the end of their lives as normal, functioning human beings. Catastrophic motorcycle accident injuries are often of such magnitude that supportive care, wheelchairs, or other necessities are required for the rest of their lives. Even those who do recover fully from a devastating injury have a long road to recovery.
Common motorcycle injuries include:
In Florida, automobile drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Because Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents, a driver’s PIP pays the medical bills no matter who was at fault for the crash. Only those suffering certain severe injuries may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
That’s not the situation when it comes to Florida motorcyclists. The state does not require motorcyclists to carry PIP and there is no injury threshold to meet to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party in a motorcycle accident.
What if you are partially at fault for the accident? That is not uncommon, but under Florida’s modified comparative negligence laws you can still receive compensation even if you are partly responsible for the collision.
However, any compensation is reduced by your degree of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you cannot recover at all. For instance, if a jury finds that you were 20 percent at fault for the collision, a $100,000 award is reduced by that percentage to $80,000. If a jury finds you were 51% at fault, your recover will be barred entirely.
Proving a motorcycle accident claim requires gathering as much evidence as possible. Such proof must show that another driver or entity is at fault. Multiple parties may bear liability for a motorcycle accident. For instance, the motorist may have been distracted, either by talking on a cell phone or putting their attention elsewhere than on the road. A malfunctioning car or motorcycle can put the onus on the manufacturer.
Your attorney conducts a thorough investigation of the accident. The investigation includes:
Your attorney negotiates with the insurance company so that you can receive the maximum compensation. Based on your circumstances, the attorney knows a reasonable settlement amount for your claim. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the defendants.
It is critical to note that you should always consult a personal injury lawyer after a motorcycle accident rather than accept an insurance settlement offer. Insurance companies want to settle for as little as possible as fast as possible. Once you agree to a settlement, you cannot go back and reopen the claim. An attorney protects your interests and negotiates aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf.
Compensation, or damages, in a motorcycle accident case may include:
Generally, the statute of limitations in Florida for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. However, it is crucial that you engage a Palm Bay motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Waiting too long to obtain legal counsel can mean that valuable evidence can vanish.
For instance, nearby homes or businesses may have surveillance videos documenting the motorcycle crash. Such videos are usually available for only a short window, depending on the system. A video of the crash scene may prove the case but obtaining it involves swift action by your attorney.
You need legal counsel deeply familiar with Florida motorcycle law. If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident because of another party’s negligence or recklessness, contact an experienced Palm Bay personal injury attorney at Kogan & DiSalvo. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is no fee unless you receive compensation.
If you are injured and unable to come to us,
our attorney will come to you - there is no charge for us to do so.